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Conference abbott::cruise_travel

Title:CRUISE TRAVEL
Moderator:XANADU::FAMULARO
Created:Thu Aug 04 1988
Last Modified:Thu Dec 12 1996
Last Successful Update:Wed Jan 01 1997
Number of topics:562
Total number of notes:2834

455.0. "HELP! INFERIOR CABIN ASSIGNMENT" by GUCCI::DABROWN () Mon Jul 12 1993 18:32

    HELP!!! I booked 2 cabins on the Dreamward for July 17 to Bermuda.  Our
    teenage children were to be on an inside cabin and my husband and I
    across the hall in an outside cabin.  Our handwritten contract with the
    travel agency indicates the correct cabins.
    
    Our tickets arrived Saturday--my children are in the correct cabin, but
    my husband and I were put on the other side of the ship, opposite the
    elevator and next to the "Kiddie Korner"!  I am furious.  NCL states
    they are sold out, my agent said she is working the issue.  My husband
    is talking about suing the travel agency.
    
    WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS??  Has anyone had an experience like this?  This
    was to be a stress free vacation and a celebration for me over a
    medical recovery.  Right now it looks rather dismal....I do not want
    the cabin opposite the elevators, the stairs, and next to the kiddie
    corner.  Any suggestions?  I need some 'ammunition' when the agent
    calls me tomorrow morning.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
455.1Confirmation letter?TEXAS1::SIMPSONMon Jul 12 1993 19:537
    
    	Do you have a copy of the reservation confirmation?  Every time
    	I have booked with NCL, I received a confirmation notice after
    	I paid the deposit.  If memory serves, one of the items on it was
    	the cabin which we had selected. 
    	
    	Ed
455.2RTL::LINDQUISTTue Jul 13 1993 14:5332
    I'm sorry to be a pessimist, but I think you will find you
    have very few rights.  We had a bad situation with RCCL, and
    when you read the complete terms and conditions of the
    contract, the cruise line holds all the cards.

    In RCCL's case, they can substitute anything, up to a
    different ship (I'm not making this up) without liability.
    And further, if you'd like to litigate, you've already agreed
    to do so in a court of their convenience (Miami for RCCL).

    If the cabin you're being offered is in the same class as
    the original, I think you'll have a difficult time claiming
    that it is inferior.

    I think you may have to just make the best of it.  If you
    think the room near the play-area will be noisy, give it to
    the kids.  If you really have to have adjacent rooms, and the
    boat is full, you could try to get NCL to book you on a
    different departure date.

    I know how frustrating this is.  In our situation, I would
    rather have stayed home than accepted their terms, but that
    would have been financially stupid.

    If the problem isn't resolved, I think your only recourse
    is probably to avoid the company in the future.

    	- Lee Lindquist




455.3Cabin AssignmentsGRANPA::LBINGNEARLOIS BINGNEAR @DWOTue Jul 13 1993 20:4315
    When we planned our cruise we received our cabin # as soon as we paid our
    deposit.  As a matter of fact the Travel Agent gave us our cabin #
    verbally, over the phone, and we received written confirmation when they
    received our deposit.  It seems your Travel agent may be at fault.  We
    had no problems with our cabins (we were with a large group of 74) and
    everyone was aware of what deck and cabin they were assigned beforehand
    and there were No suprises.
    
    I hope things work out for you and you don't get the wrong impression
    about the NCL DREAMWARD.  We had such a Great time and everything went
    smoothly.
    
    Good Luck! and let us know how things worked out.
    
        
455.4Work the agentLEDDEV::CULLISONTue Jul 13 1993 21:0330
    I agree with 455.3 and others. I assume you first got a verbal
    confirmation which included specific cabin numbers. The agent should 
    have sent a more formal one within a week or so. I sounds to me
    that the agent dropped the ball here, but it is hard to tell. 
    
    It really is true as stated in 455.2 that the contract is totally 
    written to protect the Cruise line with virtually no real
    protection for the the consumer. This is true for all lines.
    I've booked double cabins 3 times before on RCCL and never had
    a problem, but I was always very careful. I believe you will have to come
    down hard on the agent 
    if they do not respond. If you have it in writing the specific cabin
    numbers then that will help. The problem is they may not be able to
    fix it with the cruise line itself. I know myself I am always
    very careful in cabin selection, I don't want that nice cabin
    next to the elevator, over the disco etc. The ships are not as sound
    proof as they say a lot  of the time.
    
    If it cannot be fix at the very least try to get some compensation
    from someone if possible. If you do go with this arrangement then
    try to block it out as much as possible and live with it or it
    will just ruin your vacation. It is so late it is hard to deal with.
    I know I would be upset myself.
    
    The bottom line is if it cannot be fixed you have to make the
    best decision for yourself. 
    
    				Harold C.
    
    
455.5WE PERSISTED & WON!GUCCI::DABROWNThu Jul 15 1993 18:5715
    Well, we worked it out.  I was very firm with the agent.  Our contract
    had the correct cabin.  The 'travel syndicate' our agent belongs to
    made an error.  They were able to convince another cabinholder to swap
    cabins.  We were switched to an outside cabin looking over the bow,
    rather than on an outside starboard cabin.  I am definitely a happy
    camper now!  In fact, the agent has made arrangements for a limo to
    pick my family up Saturday morning and bring us to Baltimore where the
    charter bus will be meeting us to take us to New York.  
    
    The excitement at my house is mounting, my teenagers are revved up and
    I have no idea how all those clothes are going to fit in our suitcases!
    
    Bermuda....here we come!   Thank you all for your advice, everything is
    working out.
                
455.6I WON A CRUISE!!POWDML::PETRICCAFri Sep 24 1993 17:0621
    Hi all,
    
    Did you ever wonder who wins those trips from AAA Travel Agency
    Newsletter?  Well, I WON A CRUISE!  To the Caribbean!  On Holland
    America!  I just found 10 days ago!
    
    Well, I always wanted to go on a cruise but my husband NEVER wanted
    to! Needless to say he now wants to go on a cruise! 
    
    I just found this notesfile today - didn't even know it existed until I
    saw a reference to it in Holiday_Travel.  I will be looking through it
    in the next couple of months.
    
    I do have one question though.  Our accommodations are "M" which is an
    inside room quite low on the ship from the diagram I saw.  Does anyone
    have any advice about upgrading?  I want to make sure I get the best
    possible room for us even if we have to pay a little.  Also, I have no
    idea about inside, outside rooms, etc.  Any advice?
    
    Thanks.  Mary Ellen
    
455.7Sorry, I can't help but...EARRTH::DREYERHigh apple pie in the sky hopes!Fri Sep 24 1993 18:036
NO advice Mary Ellen, but just want to say congrats!!!  That's wonderful to
win a cruise, one of my dreams!!!

Have a great time!

Laura
455.8Meant to put 455.6 in a new notePOWDML::PETRICCAFri Sep 24 1993 20:077
    RE: 455.6 "I Won a Cruise"
    
    I meant to put that reply in a new note!  It has been that kind
    of a day.  Does anyone know how to move a reply to a new note?
    Or Do I have to type it in again?
    
    Thanks. Mary Ellen
455.9LEDDEV::CULLISONFri Sep 24 1993 21:0633
    I would just extract it and edit it in.    extract file_name
    
    As far as cabin changes it depends. I've cruised in these cabins
    and they are normally just fine, unless it is an old ship with
    upper/lower bunks. Inside means no port hole but that is ok.
    Usually on first cruise you are in cabin so little it is not that
    important as long as you are comfortable.
    
    Note, depending on many factors upgrading can be costly. Difference
    in book rate between least expensive to most expensive for two
    on a 7 night cruise can be as much as $5,000.
    example low end room might be 1,000 each for two  2,000 total
    	    highest might be      3,500 each for two  7,000 total
    
    Since the only difference is room itself you have to weigh it all out.
    
    You might get an outside for a little more, or a better location etc
    for a little more. Since you are starting at 0 cost it is easier
    to spend money to upgrade ( actually not 0 cost, I am sure they
    have to report the winnings as face value to IRS so you will probably
    get stuck with federal and state taxes on it).
    
    You probably can upgrade some for a small amount, if you want
    look into it as far in advance of cruise as possible to allow
    best selection. If you wait to day of cruise on solid line like
    Holland then do not expect to get any upgrade.
    
    Which ship ??  Holland is an excellent line so you are really
    fortunate.
    
    				Have a good cruise,
    				Harold C.
    
455.10POWDML::PETRICCATue Sep 28 1993 16:0910
    Harold,
    
    Thanks for the info.  I might look into upgrading when we decide on the
    date. The ship is the Westerdam.  The room class is on the next to
    the bottom deck.  The restaurant deck is on the bottom.  What do you
    think of the deck level?  Does that make a difference?  I don't want to
    feel like I am in a submarine!
    
    
    
455.11LEDDEV::CULLISONWed Oct 06 1993 19:1524
    The only disadvantage to that deck level is you just have to
    go a little further to get to things. I've been on the lowest deck
    of very large ships a number of times and it was fine. It was tiring
    on Sovereign when going from lowest deck to pool deck, 9 flights up.
    Of course you can take elevators but I tried to avoid, so many
    extra calories, had to burn them off. 
    
    The decision is really personal, I was in submarine service myself
    so maybe I tolerate more than others. Unless you move up to 
    CAtegory F or higher then main difference is location and
    inside/outside. To some people having the light come in naturally
    and seeing the sea is more important than to others. You may for
    a small amount be able to upgrade from inside to outside to a better
    location. NOte that cheapest outside cabin (I) has upper/lower bed
    which you may not like. Also note that windows on outside cabins
    do not open unless in a very expensive room on large ship at higher
    cabin levels.
    
    Unless you go to a suite then expect the room to be tiny
    relative to a hotel room etc. All rooms are usually very efficient
    and work very well for two people.
    
    				Harold C.
    
455.12WROS03::VASQUEZ_JElivin' on blues powerThu Oct 14 1993 18:4216
    Congratulations!  The Westerdam is a GORGEOUS ship!  (One of my
    favorites, could you tell?)
    
    An inside cabin is an inside cabin unless you are located near, or
    under, a noisy area such as the disco.  Rumor has it that cabins near
    either end of the ship feel more motion, but on a ship the size of
    yours that probably won't be too much of a problem.
    
    Trust me, an inside cabin is pitch black when the lights are out and
    you will not know what deck you are on!  My advice would be to save
    that money for gambling and all that glorious shopping you MUST do in
    St. Thomas!
    
    Hope you have a fabulous trip.
    
    Jeri